Senior Projects | Project 2
Portfolio Development
Each of you will be responsible for a digital portfolio presence.
Whatever platform you choose, the following requirements apply to each:
Rework current projects: Review your projects for possible inclusion in your final portfolio and spend some class time critiquing work you plan to revise. You are responsible for reworking/rewriting/rebuilding and extending these projects. I strongly recommend that you have at least 75% of your project revisions completed by the end of Spring Break. Yes, you’ve got some long nights ahead of you. Due to class cancellations and time constraints there may not be any more time reserved in class for instructor critiques of past work. Please make an appointment to meet with me during office hours if you would like more feedback.
Your portfolio must include the following:
- Personal branding and a link to your resume
- Thesis project with process documentation
- 5–8 additional projects (1 with process)
- Project titles, descriptions, specs, typefaces, dates, credits
Digital / Tablet
If you are directing your job search towards an interactive/web designer position, having a personal website is a must. It is also strongly encouraged for all G&ID students because it allows you to present any websites and/or motion graphics in their intended form, revising your layout, addressing a typo, replacing images, etc. is quick and simple, and it is easy to add/reorder and update projects on the fly for particular job interviews. Even if you do not own a tablet, the investment replaces the cost of materials (paper / case / binding) and time involved assembling (production set up, printing, assembling).
Web hosting sites
Squarespace www.squarespace.com (preferred)
Adobe Portfolio www.myportfolio.com
Behance www.behance.net
Cargo Collective www.cargocollective.com
GoDaddy www.godaddy.com
Required content
Writing effective copy for your portfolio can help turn it into an invaluable lead generation tool. Usually, your website portfolio is viewed by others in your absence — the viewer will have to make assumptions about you without any other outside information. For graduating seniors, your target market for your website is potential employers. Write strong copy that helps you stand out from the flood of other online portfolios they will be viewing.
Domain name
Most CMS’s provide an address for free that advertises their product (examples:, behance.net/scottgladd or cargocollective.com/scottgladd). It is recommended that you take the extra step to purchase a custom domain name. It communicates that you are a professional dedicated to your field, and not an amateur. It can be done directly through most CMS applications for around $10-$15 per month. Having a custom domain elevates you from seeming like you are an amateur.
Ancillary Content
- Logotype / Name / Title Treatment: this is the cohesive brand you’ve created for that will be used across all applications
- About / Bio gives insight into who you are, what you do, location — w/ link to resume. Be creative! Be funny! Be memorable!
- News awards / publications / exhibitions / events / notable clients you’ve worked with
Portfolio Content
This is the bulk of your website and should include images / navigation / descriptive captions / credits — may be separated into categories like print, web, illustration, photography…but most likely by client case study.
- Photography / Digital Mockups: should be consistent with the subject matter of the client.
- Project Descriptions: a brief about the assignment and how / why the problem was solved this way, be sure to specify projects done at Edinboro versus at an internship, etc.
- Dates be consistent with formats
- Credits art direction, copywriting, illustration, photography
Your website should be responsive! (work on mobile, tablet and desktop)
Design Professionalism: Crediting Work
Credit must always be given to all parties involved in producing a creative project both when you are a student and when you enter the professional world. Credits may include: creative director, art director, illustrator, photographer, writer, programmer and other designers. You should also credit the institution / design firm where the work was created, as well as the client it was produced for. These credits must be included on your portfolio website and on any other website or publication that you use to display your work such as Behance, Tumblr, Flickr, Dribbble, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. You must also use these credits when submitting your work to competitions, publications, or blogs. You may have to add this information, often there are not correctly labeled input boxes on a form so you have to improvise. If your work is selected for a publication, whether online or print, always follow up to confirm the correct credit information is included when published. If you have questions about the proper way to credit a project, always ask.
School Work
The work you create in your courses at PennWest must include a credit of “art director” followed by your instructor’s name. It must also state that the work was produced for PennWest University. It is not necessary to include detailed information on the course name.
Proper Credits for School Project:
Art Director: Instructor’s Name
Designer: Your Name
Illustrator / Photographer (When applicable): Your Name
Institution: PennWest University, Edinboro, PA
Client (When applicable): Client Name
Professional Work (Including Internships)
All work produced professionally (full time, freelance or internship) that you use for self-promotion must also contain credits for all parties involved. You must ask for permission from your employer or past employer to confirm they approve of you displaying the work before publishing it. They have the rights to the work, you have no legal right to use it unless they give you permission. You should also ask them to provide the credit information they want displayed. This may vary from company to company. These guidelines apply to internships and any work you do in a studio or agency before or after graduation.
Beyond the Website
I get it, designers and students love to put stickers and customize their laptops. It’s fun in college because it expresses individuality and it’s a semi-laid back environment. But…you really should do a deep cleaning on your device (laptop or tablet) before the portfolio review and subsequent interviews. Take the time to get a microfiber cloth or wipes and clean all around the keys and ports. Wipe your screen and track pad clean. Take your tablet out of the protective case and do a thorough cleaning all around. Hell, you can even wipe down your charging cord. It may be time to retire all the torn and peeling cat stickers and anime characters. You wouldn’t wear pajama bottoms and a wrinkly t-shirt to an interview so let your device be a reflection of your professionalism. Once you land a job, you can redecorate.
